Health Secretary Francisco Duque boasted the improving state of health care utilization rate in the country despite the continued increase in COVID-19 cases.
According to Duque’s report in the president’s weekly Talk to the Nation, overall, the Philippines is in a low-risk classification as the 2-week growth rate has dropped to -22 percent and the average daily attack rate per 100,000 population.
The National Capital Region is said to be at moderate risk as the 2-week growth rate has dropped to -39 percent and the daily attack rate has dropped to 19.02 percent from the previous 30.98 percent.
But Duque reminded that although the situation in the country is improving when it comes to COVID-19 cases, it still cannot be relaxed as there are ten regions that have recorded an increase in the 2-week growth rate.
“Habang bumubuti ang ating lagay, kinakailangan pa rin po natin ang mahigpit na pagpapatupad ng lahat po ng ating mga protocols upang hindi tayo bumalik sa surge,” he said.
“Una mayroon pa tayong limang rehiyon na kailangang tutuan, dahil sa kanila pong average daly attack rate na nasa high risk pa rin po pati sampung rehiyon na tumataas ang 2-week growth rate,” Duque added.
These include Region 4B, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and Caraga.
Also read: DOH faces difficulty in hiring health care workers
Health care utilization rate in PH improving – Duque
There are also five regions with high average daily attack rates including NCR, Cordillera Autonomous Region, Region 2, 4A, and 3.
The number of cases from NCR is also declining, from 48 percent now to only 31 percent from Metro Manila.
The number of recorded cases is increasing in other regions.
He said the health care utilization or condition of hospitals in the country is also improving. According to the secretary, from 4.7 percentage points last week, it has dropped 7 percentage points from the peak reported on April 13 to 15 of 54 percent.
Meanwhile, from the 51 percent utilization rate of isolation beds, it has reportedly dropped to 43 percent.
The COVID-19 ward beds utilization rate has also dropped to 49 percent from its peak of 57 percent.
In ICU beds, from a 68 percent peak utilization rate, it is now at 61 percent.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.